Spring and Fall are our main seasons! During the spring the river is low and the bite is on, you can expect big numbers of nice rainbow trout! During the fall the river is a little higher, the weather is beautiful, the leaves are changing colors, and big fish are caught!
At Columbia River Fly Fishing we target Rainbow Trout using single hand fly rods (with Matt) or two-handed fly rods Spey (with Bruce), depending on the time of year and water level, we either fish from the boat or walk and wade.
The trout in this section of the river usually range between 16 inches and 20 inches but they can also get much larger and fish over 30 inches are caught every year! These bigger fish can be targeted in the early spring and fall when the river is at its lower flow.
There are a lot of different ways to fly fish the Columbia River and we do it all. From indicator fishing in the back eddies to walking and wading, and two-handed fishing the big beautiful runs. Our guides have years and years of river experience so you will have a productive, safe, and comfortable fly-fishing trip.
Columbia River Fly Fishing provides all the necessary equipment needed for your trip including fly rods, flies, and expert Spey casting instructions (if you are Spey fishing, don’t be shy we offer trips for novices to experts). If you don’t have a PFD we will provide them for you. Especially for spey fishing, you will need your waders and wading boots, felts and cleats are recommended. For our single-handed trips, we fish out of the boat, but just remember you need to get in and out of the boat, boots might be needed.
The boats you will be fishing from are 18 foot G3 Yamaha center console jet boats, they are great for fishing out of, and they are great for getting you to the best locations on the river. We fish up to 2 anglers per boat and groups up to 4 anglers. We outfit our boats with 10ft 5-weight Orvis fly rods, and we also have 7-weight outfits for swinging flies and Spey rods if needed.
We are located in West Kootenays of BC, nestled between Castlegar and Trail. There are 35 miles of untouched river to fish, from the Hugh Kennyside damn on Arrow lakes to the USA border. This fishery is one of the best tailwater fisheries in the world.
Matt is a professional guide, both salt and fresh water. Matt runs an 18ft center console sled with an 80 Yamaha jet and electric motor. Matt fishes the Spring and Fall, when the river best produces. On any given day, all manners of fly fishing works, dry flies, nymphing, and swinging flies.
A day on the water with Bruce will have you drinking some fine coffee and working on your casting and fly presentation with the chance to hook up with some trophy rainbows. He will get you into the groove of Spey casting, no matter what skill level you’re at, and help you read the big water that is the Columbia.
A fresh water fishing license is required. Find out more about getting your license.
Super 8 Hotel
Reservations: 1-888-828-5331
Sandman Inn
Email: reservations@sandman.ca
Phone: 250-365-8444
Glenwood Inn and Suites
Phone: 250-368-5522
Best Western
Phone: 250-368-3355
Crown Columbia Hotel
Phone: 250-368-3296
Email: rossland@prestigehotels.ca
Phone: 250-362-7375
For more info about fishing the Columbia River, check out WeSportFish.
*Castlegar and Trail are both approximately a 15 min drive from Genelle boat ramp, while Rossland is approximately 20 min and Red Mountain is about 25 min.
With over 30 kilometers of fishing and 1,500 fish per kilometer, the Columbia is a fly fisher’s dream.
Located on the upper Columbia River, in the West Kootenays, near Castlegar and Trail BC.
2.5 hrs from Spokane, Washington
7 hrs from Vancouver, BC
7 hrs from Calgary, AB
info@columbiariverflyfishing.com
Toll Free Reservations 1-866-964-5220
Office 1-250-332-5220